Report: Facebook Planning World's 'Most Advanced' Data Center in Iowa

Facebook is putting gears in motion to build what's being touted as the world's "most technologically advanced" data center in the city of Altoona, Iowa, according to a new report.

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Facebook is prepping what's being touted as the world's "most technologically advanced" data center in the city of Altoona, Iowa, according to a new report.

The Des Moines Register, citing two unnamed lawmakers familiar with the project, reported over the weekend that city leaders have already approved a 1.4 million-square-foot facility, which is expected to be completed in two $500 million phases. All told, however, the experts predicted the facility will cost Facebook $1.5 billion.

The new, massive data center will reportedly sit on a 200-acre site, which is located in close proximity to power and water utilities, and an extensive fiber optic cable system. Facebook did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday about the report.

It appears that the massive data center will be at least partially powered using wind energy. According to the report, Facebook is seeking Iowa tax credits for wind energy production as part of the project, though these incentives would require legislative action.

Facebook has faced heat in the past from environmental advocacy groups like Greenpeace, which criticized the social network for using coal to power its massive data centers. Facebook has since increased its focus on sustainability efforts, including recently launching a service that lets users check out the sites' energy consumption.

Meanwhile, Facebook is also gearing up to launch three new "cold storage" data centers in Prineville, Ore. to store old and rarely viewed images. Unlike its traditional "hot servers," which are always on and ready to deliver data, the servers at these cold storage facilities will be asleep, awaiting a request for old material. Facebook is aiming to have the first of three facilities operational by fall.

Angela has been a PCMag reporter since January 2012. Prior to joining the team, she worked as a reporter for SC Magazine, covering everything related to hackers and computer security. Angela has also written for The Northern Valley Suburbanite in New Jersey, The Dominion Post in West Virginia, and the Uniontown-Herald Standard in Pennsylvania. She is a graduate of West Virginia University's Perely Isaac Reed School of Journalism.
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